before, while not

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates doing something before a state changes.

[Verb ない form] + うちに

雨が降らないうちに、帰ろう。

Ame ga furanai uchi ni, kaerou.

Let's go home before it rains.

暗くならないうちに、出発しよう。

Kuraku naranai uchi ni, shuppatsu shiyou.

Let's leave before it gets dark.

Emphasizes urgency before change.

～うちに

while, during, before

～ているうちに

while doing, in the course of

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Common for suggesting action before too late.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.